US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated he saw no survivors before a second controversial strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug vessel, a move defended by both Hegseth and President Trump despite congressional concerns.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended a controversial second strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean, saying he did “not see survivors” and attributing the decision to the “fog of war.” The Washington Post reported that the 2 September strike left two survivors clinging to the burning boat before a second strike authorized by US Navy Admiral Frank Bradley killed them, raising concerns about possible breaches of armed-conflict laws.
Hegseth told reporters he watched the first strike “live” but moved to another meeting, adding, “That thing was on fire and it exploded… you can’t see anything.” He later described Bradley’s action as a “correct decision,” saying, “We have his back,” even as both Democratic and Republican lawmakers call for clarity on what happened.